Cuomo to be Feted at Big Gay Fundraiser
Politico's Ben Smith notes that Andrew Cuomo is about to reap the rewards of delivering marriage equality to New York, with a big-bucks fundraiser:
It's hosted by two of the biggest names in gay money: Medical supply heir Jon Stryker, who is probably the biggest donor to gay causes in the country; and Jonathan Lewis, the son of Democratic mega-donor Peter Lewis.
side note: it bugs me SO much when invites (etc) say things like "12,500 per person, or 25,000 per couple" - well DUH. it's basic math. I would understand if it was "12,500 per person or 20,000 per couple"... like when stores say "2 for $4 (regularly $2 a piece)"
Posted by: JoeyB | Aug 30, 2011 1:44:33 PM
Are you kidding me with the elitist attitude of this fundraiser? Poverty rates are sky high, the state of NY is inside of an economic sinkhole and Democrats, who care SO MUCH about the less fortunate, are going to shell out $12,500 A PERSON to this fundraiser? How about make it $5,000 with a minimum donation of the additional $7500 to a WORTHWHILE charity? Hell, give $1000 to charity. This is completely ridiculous.
Posted by: BC | Aug 30, 2011 2:52:41 PM
BC, you have to understand that events like these are going on constantly for rich republicans. You may not hear about them because they arent news. They are raising money for their cause and this one is doing the same thing, its just more surprising to those who arent aware that this is going on constantly. Should republicans stop having 12,500 dollar dinners too? Yes, but they arent going to, so just be glad that this money will hopefully go toward making a better world for LGBT people and be glad it isnt going to a Bachmann or a Palin.
Posted by: JWL | Aug 30, 2011 3:56:42 PM
@BC Elections cost money. You may not like it but we're in an arms race with Republicans who would strip our rights and freedoms away from us. If we want people like Cuomo in office, we're gonna have to pony up.
Posted by: Alan Miles | Aug 30, 2011 6:34:53 PM
@Alan Miles - are you saying that Cuomo has now basically presented the LGBT population with his bill for services rendered, and this fundraiser is partial payment? Because that's what it sounds like you're saying. And that's certainly what this invitation looks like: a bill, with the implicit threat that failure to pay on time will result in suspension of service.
And in a world where thousands of people starve to death every day, it IS obscene to pay $12,500 to rub elbows with Cuomo. But of course, most of those starving people are dark-skinned and live far away, whereas the pleasures of American affluence beckon much closer to hand, right?
Posted by: Sancho | Aug 30, 2011 8:28:09 PM
Well said Sancho!!
Posted by: BC | Aug 30, 2011 11:52:26 PM
We should be glad that Stryker and Lewis are stepping up. For the longest time, we had no rich gay people who were out and using their resources to help. Imagine how things might be today if Malcolm Forbes had used his billions to help out in the 70s and 80s. Or if Liberace had left his 9-figure fortune to the gay movement instead of his dogs. Even today, we see the wealthiest out gay person on Earth, multi-billionaire David Geffen, doing very little to help.
Posted by: David | Aug 31, 2011 9:45:34 AM
@ BC and Sancho,
You're portraying a fundraiser for the biggest defender of LGBT rights as evil? And no criticism, of course, for high-priced right wing fundraisers for Republicans who hate on gays. Please crawl back under your flat rock. Or maybe join your fellow fundamentalist Christians on Free Republic. Good riddance.
Posted by: Artie Rimbaud | Aug 31, 2011 11:58:29 AM